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Home , Magellanic Bridge, Penny Sackett

R. Wagner-Kaiser Email: [email protected] • Phone: (269) 274-1318 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rawagnerkaiser • GitHub: github.com/rwk506 Webpage: astro.ufl.edu/~rawagnerkaiser/Home.html

Stellar Populations • Globular Clusters & Multiple Populations • Variable

My interests in are centered around utilizing the power of stellar populations to learn more about the characteristics of galaxies, from the to the to even further away external galaxies. Through observations of clusters, variable stars, and resolved galactic stellar populations, I hope to learn more about the formation and evolution of galaxies in our .

Education

University of Florida 2011 – Present M.S. Astronomy: 2013 Gainesville, FL PhD Astronomy: 2016; GPA: 4.0 Dissertation: Bayesian Analysis of Globular Clusters – using a sophisticated Bayesian statistical technique to compare multi- dimensional theoretical models to observed data to determine the most likely parameters that describe object of interest.

Vassar College 2006 – 2010 B.A. Physics, B.A. Astronomy (2010) Poughkeepsie, NY Minor equivalent in Mathematics GPA: 3.62; Graduated with Honors

First Author Papers

• Submitted (10.6.16): Wagner-Kaiser, R. and Sarajedini, A., 2016, MNRAS, Ages in the Local Solar Neighborhood from the JK turndown. • Accepted (2.28.17): Wagner-Kaiser, R., Sarajedini, A., von Hippel, T., Anderson, J., et al., 2016, MNRAS, The ACS Survey of Galactic Globular Clusters XIV: Bayesian Analysis of “Single” Stellar Populations of 69 Globular Clusters. • Accepted (12.5.16): Wagner-Kaiser, R. and Sarajedini, A., 2016, MNRAS, The properties of the Based on OGLE IV Photometry of RR Lyrae Stars. • Wagner-Kaiser, R., Stenning, D., Robinson, E., von Hippel, T., Sarajedini, A., van Dyk, D. A., Stein, N. et al., 2016, 463, 3768, MNRAS, Bayesian Analysis of Multiple Populations in Galactic Globular Clusters III: Analysis of 30 Clusters. • Wagner-Kaiser, R., Stenning, D., Robinson, E., von Hippel, T., Sarajedini, A., van Dyk, D. A., Stein, N. et al., 2016, 826, 42, ApJ, Bayesian Analysis of Multiple Populations in Galactic Globular Clusters II: NGC 5024, NGC 5272, and NGC 6352. • Wagner-Kaiser, R., A. Sarajedini, K. Stanek, J. Dalcanton, B. Williams, A. Dolphin, and the PHAT team, 2015, MNRAS, 451, 5243. Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury XIII: The Cepheid Period-Luminosity Relation in M31. • Wagner-Kaiser, R., De Maio, T., A. Sarajedini, Chakrabarti, S., 2014, MNRAS, 433, 3260. The void in the Sculptor group NGC 247. • Wagner-Kaiser, R. & Sarajedini, A., 2013, MNRAS 431, 1565. The properties of the based on OGLE-III photometry of RR Lyrae stars.

Additional Papers

• Stenning, D., Wagner-Kaiser, R., von Hippel, T., van Dyk, D. A., Sarajedini, A., Robinson, E., Stein, N. et al., 2016, 826, 41, ApJ, Bayesian Analysis of Multiple Populations in Galactic Globular Clusters I: Statistical and Computational Methods. • Bhardwaj, A., Kanbur, S., Singh, H.P., Macri, L., Ngeow, C.-C., Wagner-Kaiser, R., Sarajedini, A., 2015, AJ, Large Magellanic Cloud Near-Infrared Synoptic Survey II. The Wesenheit relations and their application to the distance scale. • von Hippel, T., Robinson, E., Jeffery, E., Wagner-Kaiser, R., et al. 2014, eprint arXiv:1411.3786. Bayesian Analysis for Stellar Evolution with Nine Parameters (BASE-9): User's Manual. • Yang, S.C., Wagner-Kaiser, R., Sarajedini, A., Kim, S.C., Kyeong, J., 2014, ApJ, 784, 76. The Early Chemical Enrichment Histories of Two Sculptor Group Dwarf Galaxies as Revealed by RR Lyrae Variables. • Sheffield, A., Majewski, S.R., Johnston, K.V., Cunha, K., Smith, V.V., Cheung, A.M., Hampton, C.M., David, T.J., Wagner-Kaiser, R., et al. 2012, ApJ, 761, 161, Galactic Structure from Late-Type Giants at Mid-Latitudes I Presentations

• Wagner-Kaiser, R. (2016 February). Bayesian Analysis of Galactic Globular Clusters with Two Populations. Globular Clusters and Galaxy Halos Meeting, Poster Session, Leiden, the Netherlands. • Wagner-Kaiser, R. (2016 January). Bayesian Analysis of Multiple Populations in Galactic Globular Clusters. 227th AAS Meeting, Poster Session, Kissimmee, FL. • Wagner-Kaiser, R. (2015 October). Bayesian Analysis of Two Stellar Populations in Galactic Globular Clusters, Graduate Student Research Day, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. • Wagner-Kaiser, R. (2014 March). The Cepheid Period-Luminosity Relation in M31 Based on the PHAT Survey. Cosmic Distance Scale Conference, Poster Session, Baltimore, MD. • Wagner-Kaiser, R. (2014 January). Variable Stars in the PHAT M31 Survey: Cepheids and RR Lyrae. Workshop on Variability of Astronomical Sources, Kochi, India, 2014 • Wagner-Kaiser, R. (2013 January). The Cepheid Period-Luminosity Relation in M31 Based on the PHAT Survey. 221st AAS Meeting, Poster Session, Long Beach, CA. • Wagner-Kaiser, R. (2010 July, 2011 July). Solar Astrophysics. The Summer Science Program at New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM. • Wagner-Kaiser, R. & Dwyer, S. (2009 September). High Resolution Imaging of the 2009 Total Solar Eclipse from Tianhuangping, China. KNAC Conference at Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA. • Wagner-Kaiser, R. (2008 May). Acousto-Optics: Seeing Sound. Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY.

Awards

• Team Recipient of 2016 Healthy Civic Campus and Community Initiative from the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and Student Affairs at the University of Florida (2016 - present). • National Science Foundation (NSF) Florida Space Grant Fellowship (2014-2017). • Great Lakes National Scholarship (2012, 2013, 2015). • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention (2013). • Graduate Student Council Travel Grant (2012). • Repeat recipient of Vera Rubin Fund (2009, 2009, 2010) from Vassar College Astronomy Department.

Affiliations

• Co-Social Media Manager for University of Florida Astronomy Department (2014 – Present). • Manuscript Referee, Astronomical Journal (2014). • Member, Graduate Astronomy Organization (2011 – 2016). • Board Member, Graduate Astronomy Organization (2011 – 2013). • Junior Member, American Astronomical Society (2010 – Present). • Sigma Pi Sigma member (2011). • Honorary Sigma Xi membership for outstanding research in astronomy (2010).

Professional Skills

• Programming Languages and Software: Python, R, Unix/bash shell scripts, LaTeX, Git, Shiny, Mathematica, MATLAB/Octave, IDL, IRAF, SQL, HTML, CSS, Fortran, SuperMongo, Source Extractor, LabView, Peranso Period Analysis • Data Analysis: handling, transforming, and manipulating data, machine learning, modeling and prediction, qualitative and quantitative analysis, template fitting, publication-quality visualization • Statistical Analysis: uncertainty estimates, error propagation, goodness-of-fit testing, bias and completeness testing; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing; trend analysis • Image Analysis: locating, identifying, and analyzing objects, photometry and brightness profiles, coordinate systems • Communication: presentations, workshops/conferences, writing summaries and reports, public outreach/PR activities • Project Management: multiple projects, time management, working to hard deadlines, leading and collaborating on projects • Leadership: spearheading projects, mentoring and supervision of students, part of Graduate Astronomy Organization leading board 2010 to 2012, social media PR, planning and executing outreach events • Workshop: soldering, drill press, band saw Research

University of Florida August 2011-Present Department of Astronomy PhD Program Gainesville, FL • Using new ultraviolet HST observations to examine the new phenomena multiple populations of stars in Galactic Globular Clusters. With a Bayesian approach, we aim to achieve more robust characterizations of multiple populations. Resulted in papers. • Examined Cepheid variable stars using HST data through the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury program. Using extremely high quality images, I was able to better constrain the period-luminosity relation, leading to better distance estimates for the cosmological distance scale. Resulted in paper. • Used archival HST observations of galaxy NGC 247 to examine its peculiar “void” region in the northern portion of the galaxy. After using nearest neighbor interpolation to attribute relative ages to stars, we found a significant age gradient in the void region, possibly due to a gaseous dark matter sub-halo passing through the stellar disk. Resulted in paper. • Working with a set of Girardi isochrones, I reconstructed the metallicity distribution function for RGB stars to compare to RR Lyrae for two Sculptor group dwarf galaxies to investigate the chemical enrichment history of these dwarf galaxies. Resulted in paper. • Analyzed RR Lyrae in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) through use of catalog data from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE). Analyzed data to discover more about the structure and formation history of the LMC and learned more about galaxy formation processes. Resulted in paper.

Kitt Peak National Observatory February 2010 Research Assistant Tucson, AZ Under direction of Professor Allyson Sheffield of Vassar College, observed for four nights with the echelle spectrograph on the 4 meter Mayall telescope. We observed cannibalized Milky Way dwarf spheroidal stars. The obtained high-resolution spectra were used to determine origin of individual stars and trace galaxy substructure. Resulted in paper.

Williams College Summer 2009 Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium Summer Research Fellow Williamstown, MA Worked with Professor Jay Pasachoff doing on site observations of the sun during the solar eclipse across Asia in July 2009. Took high-resolution images of the sun before, during, and after totality to help track activity of sun over the course of the eclipse to gain insight into solar activity and coronal heating. Set up, tested, and fixed materials for observation on site in Tianhuangping, China and pre-programmed specific exposures on new software Solar Eclipse Maestro.

Australian National University, Mt.Stromlo Fall 2008 Research Assistant , Australian National University, Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics Under direction of Professor Penny Sackett, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, worked on a research project involving the probability of superimposed stars in a given field of view based on number density. Used IDL and Excel to manipulate data as part of larger project to narrow down stellar targets for possible planetary satellites. Resulted in paper.

Vassar College Observatory 2006 - 2010 Astronomy Research Assistant Poughkeepsie, NY Maintained 32” telescope, CCD, and spectrograph. Observed and imaged a variety of astronomical objects. Combined and reduced digital images using IRAF. Assisted with community open nights and gave tours to special group visits.

Teaching and Work

University of Florida 2012 – 2013 Graduate Teaching Assistant Gainesville, FL • Teaching assistant for an upper level undergraduate class, Observational Techniques II. • In charge of laboratory activities designed to teach observation and reduction techniques in several software packages and different coding languages, including IDL, IRAF, unix, Source Extractor, etc.

University of Florida 2011 – 2012 Graduate Teaching Assistant Gainesville, FL • Teach two Astronomy introductory laboratory courses per semester. • Conduct nighttime laboratories at the Campus Teaching Observatory. • Responsible for syllabus, lab quizzes, lab reports, assignments, final grades, and some course content.

Summer Science Program Summer 2010 and Summer 2011 Teaching Assistant Socorro, NM • Supervised 36 gifted high school students in making numerous observations of near-Earth asteroids to determine their orbits. • Tutored students in calculus, physics, astronomy, computer programming (Python) and assisted them with problem sets. • Acted as a mentor, supervisor, and role model while helping students conduct their own projects and research.

DePauw University 2010 – 2011 Lab Manager and Part-Time Instructor Greencastle, IN • Prepared, built, tested, and disassembled laboratory experiments. • Order, test, or fix materials as needed; managed laboratory materials and inventory. • Conducted community open nights at the McKim Observatory of DePauw and developed community outreach materials. • Taught Physics introductory laboratory course; assisted with Astronomy laboratories. • Responsible for designing syllabus and lab quizzes; graded lab books, reports, and quizzes. • Helped students with class work and lab work; held study sessions for examinations; proctored physics and astronomy exams. • Substituted for professors in their absence in laboratory and in class. • Other duties at the discretion of the department.

Vassar College 2009 - 2010 Astronomy Department Intern Poughkeepsie, NY • Assisted students in lower level astronomy classes with homework, studying, and understanding highly complex physical and mathematical concepts. • Was a resource for students inside and outside of the department on astronomy matters, and graded class assignments.

Outreach

University of Florida (2011-present) Gainesville, FL • Springs and Stars: Two peers and I applied for a grant to develop and deploy an educational astronomy outreach program. Our goal is to bridge the gap between education hubs and under-served rural areas by improving access to and engagement in science. Each Springs and Stars event consists of a stargazing session and an educational activities portion, all designed to introduce complex science concepts about the universe in an engaging and understandable way. We are supported by the Bob Graham Civic Center and we have initiated a collaboration with Florida State Parks. We have hosted several events since being awarded the grant in spring 2016. • Starry Night: Assisted with Starry Night program in November from 2011 to 2015; this is an event coordinated with the University of Florida’s Natural History Museum. The public is invited to attend astronomy talks, see a planetarium show, look at the sky, and other activities. From 2013 through 2015, led development and management of a station activity for the event. • S.T.A.R.S.: This program (Student Training in Astronomy Research Skills) invites bright, motivated high school students from Florida to spend several days attending astronomy lectures, participating in labs, and learning more about opportunities at the University of Florida. Ran labs for the S.T.A.R.S. program in 2012, 2014, and 2015. • WiSE Girlz Science Camp: A week-long science camp for girls in middle school interested in the sciences hosted by the and Engineering organization at the University of Florida in 2013 and 2014. Helped design and execute “astronomy day” of the camp for the young female students, including several activities and talks. • Other Outreach Activities: Assisted the Astronomy department in hosting prospective students considering graduate studies at the University of Florida. Helped plan, host, and run activities during prospective visits. Additionally, participated in panel discussions for UF undergraduates in astronomy to provide insight into the graduate school application preparation and process.

DePauw University (2010-2011) Greencastle, IN • Assisted in scheduling and running open nights to the public at DePauw’s historic McKim Observatory; vastly improved frequency. • Developed outreach/PR materials for the observatory: activities, posters, brochures, etc. • Volunteered as a judge for the Indiana Regional Science Fair held at Depauw in Spring 2011. Determined which projects to send to the Indiana State Science Fair.

Vassar College (2006-2010) Poughkeepsie, NY • Assisted with weekly public open nights at the Vassar College Observatory. • Gave tours of the observatory to special visiting groups (e.g.: Boy Scouts, local astronomy clubs, etc.). • Teaching assistant for ESL (English as a Second Language) math and science classes with students at the local high school.